Saturday December 26, 2015
Washington Redskins @ Philadelphia Eagles

This is a huge game in the NFC East. The Redskins can lock things up with a win, however, if they lose this could be a three-horse race between every team in the division that did not have Brandon Weeden start for them. On paper, the Redskins are clearly the superior team, nevertheless, they did lose to the lowly Cowboys a few weeks back, which is pretty inexplicable. The NFC East is one of those divisions in which anything can happen. It’s a lot of bitter and old rivalries and wins usually have to be earned. This should be a good game. Chip Kelly’s future could also be on the line.

Washington Redskins: Key Players

QB Kirk Cousins
Cousins has been very good at home this season, but not so much on the road. At home he has 2,170 yards, 16 TDs and just two interceptions. On the road he has just 1,455 yards, six touchdowns and nine interceptions. Unfortunately, this game is on the road.
Verdict: Sit Cousins. He just can’t be trusted on the road in a game of this magnitude, even with a solid matchup. Also, does anyone else find his “You like that” thing as annoying as I do?

RB Alfred Morris
Alf is not a great option, but he is the best option in D.C. Matt Jones has not been what we thought he would be early in the season, plus he is dealing with a hip injury and could miss the game. He should be limited at best. So look for Morris to see a heavy workload. Still, the Eagles front is very good and they’re much tougher against the run than the pass.
Verdict: Sit Morris. He has declined every year of his career and has really fallen off a cliff this season. Leave him on your bench.

WR DeSean Jackson
D-Jax is a boom-or-bust option that has been a lot more boom than bust since returning from a hamstring injury. Last week he caught six passes for 153 yards and a TD and has caught a touchdown pass in four of his last five games.
Verdict: Start Jackson. We like him more at home because of Cousins’ struggles on the road, but we’re still rolling with him this week.

TE Jordan Reed
Reed has been unbelievable this season and has shockingly stayed somewhat healthy. He has developed into a must-start every week. In 12 games he has 74 receptions for 778 yards and nine TDs.
Verdict: Start Reed. He has been great. Just hope he doesn’t get hurt in game. That’s always terrifying.

Philadelphia Eagles: Key Players

QB Sam Bradford
Bradford has thrown more touchdowns than interceptions in five games this season, he’s thrown more interceptions than TDs in four games. You can’t trust this guy no matter what the matchup is.
Verdict: Sit Bradford. Because he’s terrible.

RB Ryan Mathews
Mathews is the lead back on the ground, however, this has become a full blown committee. He is still good for about 10-14 carries per game, but you have to be pretty short on options to role with him. There are just only so many carries to go around and the Redskins are better against the run than the pass.
Verdict: Sit Mathews. You have to be short on options to start him this week. We like another Eagles RB better.

RB Darren Sproles
That other Eagles RB is not DeMarco Murray, it’s Sproles. He has a ton of upside in PPR leagues. There is always the risk that game flow causes him to fall flat, but if you’re going with any back in this game, Sproles is the man.
Verdict: Start Sproles. He’s not a great option, nevertheless, he’s not bad either. Only in PPR leagues though.

WR Jordan Matthews
Matthews is coming off a huge eight catch, 159 yard and a TD game. However, that may be fool’s gold Prior to last week he had failed to top 60 yards in 10 of the last 11 games and had caught more than four passes only once in the past seven weeks. This could be a case of chasing the fantasy points you already missed out on.
Verdict: Sit Matthews. He’s had three big games this season, last week just happened to be one of them. Aside from that he’s pretty much been garbage. Bench him.

Final Score
Washington: 28
Philadelphia: 14

Best Play
Redskins: Jordan Reed
Eagles: Darren Sproles

Sleeper
Jamison Crowder